Provision of English training in digital enterprise hubs

Abstract

In Palestine, digital enterprise hubs are helping young people build careers in the growing digital economy. A 2020 report by Mohammad Al Afifi, supported by the British Council, explores how English language training is used in these hubs to support freelancers and entrepreneurs.

The report shows that while English is essential for working with international clients, many training programmes do not offer dedicated English courses. Most digital hubs use English as a selection criterion, but only a few provide structured English training. This creates a barrier for many talented youth who lack strong English skills.

The study included interviews with 17 institutions and surveys from 238 beneficiaries. It found that 77% of participants wanted to improve their English to access better job opportunities. However, 68% had not received any English training during their programmes.

To address this gap, the report recommends:

• creating online English assessments tailored to digital work.
• offering bridge programmes for those with low English levels.
• developing English for Specific Purposes (ESP) materials focused on freelancing and entrepreneurship.
• training local English and technical trainers.
• establishing English clubs and online learning portals.

These steps can help young Palestinians gain the language skills they need to succeed in the global digital market. With better English training, digital enterprise hubs can become more inclusive and effective, opening new doors for economic empowerment.

Citation

Al-Afifi, M. (2020). Provision of English training in digital enterprise hubs. British Council.